Overview:
This 8-day safari takes you deep into the heart of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area to witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles—the wildebeest river crossing. As part of the annual migration, wildebeests and zebras cross the crocodile-infested rivers in their journey for fresh grazing. The thrilling experience of these crossings is something every wildlife lover must witness at least once. This safari also offers extensive wildlife viewing in Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, where you’ll see an incredible variety of wildlife including the Big Five, predators, and migrating herds.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge or camp in Ngorongoro
Highlights:
- Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and be greeted by your guide.
- After a warm welcome, transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area (approximately 4-5 hours).
- On arrival, check into your lodge or camp and enjoy a relaxing lunch.
- Enjoy an afternoon game drive within the Ngorongoro Crater rim area, where you may spot animals like elephants, zebras, and buffaloes.
- Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater – Wildlife Exploration
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge or camp in Ngorongoro
Highlights:
- After breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of game viewing. This UNESCO World
- Heritage Site is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos).
- Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor, surrounded by wildlife.
- Continue exploring the crater’s rich ecosystem, with its dense population of predators and prey.
- After a rewarding day, head back to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Ngorongoro – Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge or camp in Serengeti
Highlights:
- Enjoy breakfast and head out for a scenic drive from Ngorongoro Crater to the Serengeti National Park (approximately 4-5 hours).
- Upon arrival, embark on a game drive through the Serengeti’s vast plains, spotting migratory wildebeest, zebras, and predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards.
- Check into your lodge or camp and enjoy an evening game drive, keeping an eye out for the wildlife spectacle as the sun sets.
- Overnight at your accommodation in Serengeti.
Day 4: Serengeti – River Crossing Spectacle
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge or camp in Serengeti
Highlights:
- After an early breakfast, head towards the Grumeti River or Mara River area in the northern Serengeti, where the wildebeest migration river crossings typically occur.
- Experience the wildebeest river crossing, one of the most dramatic events in the animal kingdom. Witness hundreds or thousands of wildebeest courageously crossing the river, often amidst crocodile-infested waters and dangerous predators lurking on the banks.
- The river crossings are unpredictable, so a full day of game viewing offers the best chance to witness this thrilling spectacle.
- Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay, reflecting on the day’s events.
Day 5: Serengeti – River Crossing Adventures
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge or camp in Serengeti
Highlights:
- After an early breakfast, venture back to the river crossings for another day of excitement. With a different perspective, you might witness more crossings or see the aftermath of the dramatic scenes.
- Spend time observing the wildebeest herds, their movements, and the predators that track their every step.
- In the afternoon, explore other parts of the Serengeti, which is teeming with wildlife and offers excellent opportunities for game viewing and photography.
- Return to your lodge or camp for a delicious dinner and a peaceful night.
Day 6: Serengeti – Full Day of Migration & Predator Viewing
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge or camp in Serengeti
Highlights:
- After breakfast, embark on a full-day game drive in the Serengeti, visiting different regions of the park to enjoy more wildlife sightings.
- This day offers the chance to explore the heart of the migration, focusing on predator-prey dynamics. You may encounter lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards as they stalk the herds.
- Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch in the wild, taking in the beauty of the Serengeti’s vast landscape.
- Return to your lodge or camp for dinner and relaxation, reflecting on your incredible experiences.
Day 7: Serengeti – More Migration Adventures
Accommodation: Overnight at a lodge or camp in Serengeti
Highlights:
- Take another opportunity to explore the Serengeti and follow the wildebeest migration further, looking for additional river crossings or other thrilling migration-related moments.
- Your guide will ensure that you are in the best spots for sightings of wildlife and predators.
- Return to your lodge or camp for a final night in Serengeti, enjoying your last full evening in one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations.
Day 8: Serengeti – Departure
Accommodation: None (departure day)
Highlights:
- After breakfast, enjoy a final game drive through the Serengeti, savoring the last moments of this unforgettable safari.
- Transfer to Seronera Airstrip for your flight back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you’ll catch your onward flight.
- End the safari with incredible memories of the wildebeest migration and river crossings, and a deeper appreciation of Tanzania’s wildlife.
Price Includes:
– All park entry fees
– Concession fees
– Flying Doctor Service
– All park camping fees
– Airport pickup
– Ngorongoro Crater service fees
– Accommodation at hotels, lodges, tented camps, or campsites as per the safari program
– Chef services
– Meals as per the itinerary
– English-speaking driver/guide
– Transport in a 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof
– Bottled drinking water (1.5 liters per person per day during the safari)
– One-night complimentary hotel accommodation in Arusha upon arrival, including breakfast
– Camping equipment, including tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, pillows, chairs and tables
Price Does Not Include:
– International and domestic flights
– Fees for passports, visas, immunizations, and insurance
– Tips for staff, including driver-guides, chefs, and porters
– Personal expenses such as souvenirs
Best Time to Visit:
The wildebeest river crossings are typically most spectacular from July to October, especially when the migration reaches the Mara River in the northern Serengeti. This period offers the best chances to witness dramatic crossings.
This 8-day safari combines thrilling wildlife encounters with the grandeur of Serengeti National Park and the breathtaking scenes of the wildebeest migration river crossings.
